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Plastic strawberry containers good?

Will these be good for winter sowing? I have collected some hinged clear plastic boxes that strawberries came in. They have vent slits running perpendicular to where the tops meet the sides, both top and bottom. They are from 2 to 3 inches deep and the lids are about an inch deep too.

The slits along the bottom seem like they would let too much soil wash through: if I line them with newspaper, coffee filters, or paper towels, would that work?

Comments (15)

  • 19 years ago

    I didn't like them a bit. They dried out too fast. They cracked & broke in the winter weather.

  • 19 years ago

    I like them for annuals that germinate quickly and won't stay in the container long, mostly those seeds I sow later in the WSing cycle. This year I used them for celosia, balsam, tomato, salvia, moss rose, coleus, and bunny tails. I put a paper towel in the bottom to retain soil. When I first put them out, I put them in a plastic bag vented top and bottom and fastened with a twist-tie or clothes pin. This helps conserve moisture. When they need water, it's easy to bottom water. They are thin and won't hold up as well as other types of plastic, but I am reusing some from last year. I wouldn't use them for perennials or large seeds such as sunflowers or castor beans because they don't hold enough soil or have enough head room for those. But, for the way I use them, I like them just fine and have good success with them.

  • 19 years ago

    no, did not like them one bit- dry out too fast and too weak.

  • 19 years ago

    I love them, Have them in all sizes and been using them for 4 years. The soil stays in them, doesn't wash out and I don't find that they dry out to quickly either.
    I'm in zone 5 in MA and all my containers are in full sun.

    Use them, you'll like them. I have some of mine from my first year WS back in 2003.

    Fran

  • 19 years ago

    Since I did not get around to WSing proper, I figure I'll use them for a few annuals. I don't think I have any perennial seeds anyway.

  • 19 years ago

    I also am using them for annuals.I have lined mine with a plastic zip bag (with holes) that I cut to fit the bottom of the container.This is my first year and as others have said I only plan to use them for smaller annuals.I even used the grape tomato containers the same way.So far i LOVE that they are chrystal clear, the tops come on and off easy no messing with tape.And no matter how many holes I put in my other containers these always get enough rain,where some of the others I am constantly adapting. and with these I will never be without there cover seeing how warm weather may never really come!!!

  • 19 years ago

    We had quite a discussion about these on this Forum last year when I used them. I found that they dried out really fast in the spring when it was sunny and I had to water each day, but I was successful because I was vigilant. I found some of a similar construction but much deeper (can hold 3 inches of soil) that contained Ontario plums and I have used them this year. They are so convenient - no punching of holes or cutting to do - and I did not line them. I hope I can find some more this summer. Another disadvantage is the lack of 'head space' in them. I lost a few Nasturtiums last year because they grew too tall before it was time to leave the lid open and they were 'fried'.

  • 19 years ago

    I love them. I line the bottom with used paper towels or newspaper. I slip a shower cap over the top or slip the entire thing in a produce bag with holes. Voila. My petunia seems to like it too. I get better germination in these containers than the others I use. When I stay in a hotel, I collect all the shower caps in my room. lol. Very handy for covering my WS containers.

  • 19 years ago

    Wow! Popular item, I see! It seems like strawberries have been on sale a lot this year, so I have saved quite a few.

    Though the strawberry boxes have their own lids, that is a great idea about the shower caps, too! I travel a lot so already have some squirreled away. I bought some other containers earlier that I could not find any good lid for.

  • 19 years ago

    This year i've used strawberry containers almost exclusively because i don't have other containers. Our local grocery store can't sell milk in plastic jugs anymore, we don't drink pop, and dh starting drinking orange juice this year (cartons) instead of grape and cranberry (2 litre plastic bottles). The strawberry containers are really convenient. Like Pitimpanai, i line them with paper towels. But, as also mentioned, they do dry out pretty quick. I keep a couple of trays ready to fill with water to soak the containers.

    I'm hoping that i can salvage some plastic water jugs from the recycling bins at the dump this summer.

  • 19 years ago

    I like the fact that they look like little greenhouses--so cute! However, I had zilcho success as they dried out too fast. I'm pretty much sold on flats covered with clear plastic--might try a few milk jugs next year just for fun, though.

  • 19 years ago

    marcia, you can sow in those juice cartons, too. I cut them in half vertically and get a two-for-one. I just squash in the end with the pour spout to give it a "bottom."

  • 19 years ago

    I love them! But I'm only using them (unlined) for indoor sowing. They do seem too weak and don't have enough headroom for outdoor use. But indoors, they germinate seed quickly and hold a lot of soil for plants to root into. I cut the tops off as soon as the seeds have germinated and toss them, then use the drip tray from a long window box to set them in, and they fit neatly on an extended window sill.

  • 19 years ago

    I don't think all strwberry containers are the same. Some are small and shallow and others are deep and large. I have very large ones that I am using.
    They stay moist and have good air circulation.
    cherry

  • 19 years ago

    This is my first year and I did use some strawberry containers - for Allysum - they are sprouting....

    Does that mean anything??? I have no clue but for me, at this point in my WSing career, it is progress!

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